Species of anteaters in australia, africa, and south america are not closely related. however, they share similar characteristics that they use to eat ants and termites, including a long sticky tongue, large salivary glands, and a rugged stomach. this is an example of punctuated equilibrium because one species evolved into several related species over a short period of time. convergent evolution because different species developed similar adaptations to similar environments. adaptive radiation because one species evolved into several different forms that occupy different niches. coevolution because the evolving anteaters evolved together to interact with the changing environment.

The correct answer is- convergent evolution because different species developed similar adaptations to similar environments.

Convergent evolution can be described as a process of evolution where species that do not share any common ancestor that is not closely related to each other, evolve similar kind of characteristics independently because of the reason that they live in similar environmental and climatic conditions.

As per the given information of the question, the three different species of anteaters are not closely related but they share similar characteristics ( such as long sticky tongue, rugged stomach, and large salivary glands). All these species use to eat ants and termites.

Thus, it is an example of convergent evolution.